HeraldScotland speaks to Irvine Arditti about getting paralytically drunk, forgetting to do his flies up, and having enough of jokes.
Tell us about your show at the International Festival
It's a family show. That doesn't mean it's for parents with their children… It's the Arditti family, playing music by Irvine Arditti's wife Hilda Paredes and featuring Irvine's son Jake as counter tenor in most of the programme. From arrangements of Dowland and Gesualdo by Paredes, to her own music and an exotic piece by Brain Ferneyhough.
Best thing about the Festival?
Jonathan Mills
Worst thing about the Festival?
He is leaving…
How many years have you been coming to the Festival?
We came for two concerts in 1987, and then again in 2009, 2011 and 2013.
Best Festival memory?
The faces of the very enthusiastic Queen's Hall audiences in recent years.
Craziest on stage experience?
Forgot to do my flies up. (can't remember which year)
How do you wind down after a show?
Usual a few glasses of wine does the trick
What do you love about Scotland?
Fresh air.
What do you like about Edinburgh?
The city is wonderful and bubbling, at least at festival time.
What's the most Scottish thing you've done?
I missed out on Haggis. I suppose getting paralytically drunk much earlier in life with my then second violinist, who was Scottish.
Do you have a favourite joke?
Haven't you had enough jokes?
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